Four JG’s Orchards & Vineyards

Four JG’s Orchards & Vineyards is located in Colt’s Neck Township in Monmouth County. A quick glance at the owners’ names above and you see where they got their name. John and Janet Giunco have two children named Jill and John, Jr. They are a family run farm and winery. The Giunco family has farmed in Monmouth County (Central New Jersey) for over 60 years.

As you approach the tasting room, you pass huge old trees, ample picnic tables and a barbecue grille and you have the feeling that you are getting together with friends at a summer barbecue. The tasting room and vineyards are located on a farm with barns and houses dating back to the early 18th Century. The tasting room itself is modest in size, but, very tastefully decorated and part of an old historic building. The antiques and decor truly enhance the tasting experience.

Four JG’s produce the following white wines: Celebration Chardonnay (unoaked); Cayuga White; Vignole (made with floral hybrid Vignoles grapes); Vidal Blanc (semi-dry); and Big Brook White (sweet). They also make a Rose (Monmouth Blush). Their reds include Chambourcin Riserva; Cabernet Franc; Patriot (a medium bodied red with red cherry, black cherry and currant flavors); and Big Brook Red (sweet table red). In the summer, they also make a frozen wine combo utilizing their Monmouth Blush and they call it their Vino Frappe.

My personal favorites here were the Chambourcin Riserva and the Chardonnay, though the Vino Frappe was great on the warm day we visited. This is a terrific place to picnic.

In 2016, Four JG’s Orchards and Vineyards won a Bronze Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for their 2014 New Jersey White Vinifera “Celebration” and a Silver Medal for their NV “Patriot” Chambourcin the year before at the same competition. In 2015, Four JG’s also took home three Bronze Medals at the New Jersey Wine Competition (for their NV “Patriot” Red Blend, 2013 Chambourcin “Reserve” and 2011 Cayuga). Most recently Four JG’s won a Gold Medal for their 2014 Chambourcin and a Bronze Medal for their 2014 Cabernet Franc at the 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Tastings are $10 per person, which allows you to taste eight wines and keep their souvenir glass. Four JG’s is open for tastings on Saturdays and Sundays from July 16 through December 18. They open for special events in the winter such as the Wine and Chocolate Lover’s Weekend in February. They are also open earlier in the summer on select dates. Check their website for more specific up-to-date information.

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